Rosemary E. Kuenster

Rosemary Elaine Clark Yager Kuenster, age 91, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Christian, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster.  She was born on November 1, 1932, in Fennimore, the daughter of John and Hattie (McGraw) Clark.  Rosemary grew up in Mount Hope and graduated from Mount Hope High School in 1950.  On November 2, 1950, Rosemary was united in marriage to Walter Yager.  After their marriage, the couple raised a family.  Together they owned and operated Lancaster Monuments, which they purchased in 1966.  They worked together to modernize and grow the family business.  Walt preceded her in death on August 10, 1990.  Rosemary owned Lancaster Monuments for 49 years and worked there for over twenty years following the sale.  She did all the artwork free hand and the cutting.  Rosemary retired in 2012.  In 1992, Rosemary met Neil Kuenster while playing golf and they were married on May 28, 1993.  She had found a second chance at love.  Rosemary and Neil spent 30 wonderful years going to Florida to escape the cold, snowy winters of Wisconsin.  They enjoyed their time there with the many friends they made and taking their family to Disney World.  She enjoyed playing golf and dancing.  She got a hole in one at 156 yards in Florida.  Rosemary also enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of several bridge clubs: Bloomington, Cassville, Lancaster, and a traveling bridge club.  She was also a member of the Red Hatters, the Investment Club, and the Lancaster United Methodist Church and the Laurinda Circle.   Rosemary had a green thumb and raised beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, camping, and baking.  Rosemary was known for her famous tea rings, which she would bake seven at a time.  She will be remembered for her hard work ethic, playing cards and golf, but most of all, her love for family.

Survivors include her loving husband, Neil; her children: Gary (Suzy) Yager, Sun Prairie; Brenda (Mitch) Crubel, Bloomington; Craig Yager, Lancaster; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; Neil’s children: Cindy (Dave) Ritter, Cassville; Tom (Sue) Kuenster, Glen Haven; Peg (Rob) Rewey, Cassville; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many special close friends.

In addition to her parents and her first husband Walter, Rosemary was preceded in death by grandsons, Brett and Ryan Yager, great-grandson, Bryce Heckendorf, and her siblings: Harold and Royce Clark, and Loris Paulus.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church with Pastor David Kim and Pastor Barbara Cook officiating.  The burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.   Family and friends may call on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the Lancaster United Methodist Church.

The family of Rosemary Kuenster would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Robert Stader and Agrace Hospice, especially Brittany Crook and Tracie Lee, for their exceptional care and compassion.